Cefalu

A fortunate break in the weather and the incredible generosity of our friend Davide allowed for a day trip to the seaside village of Cefalu last weekend. We expected a cool ocean breeze but were pleasantly surprised to find that we had overdressed by about 3 layers. Other than the triathlon's 7 participants, the streets were quite stoic.

Cefalu's Cathedral, established in 1131

Nuns entering a bar closed for the Sabbath. 

Claims have been made that I am wearing a shade of purple.  Please refudiate. 

Yes, we should absolutely keep going.

Following our expedition, we were treated to a feast with the most incredible view that we are likely to enjoy in the course of a meal. Davide's family has a quaint home in the country overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Davide also took us on a tour of some of Palermo's most beautiful churches. The images certainly don't do justice to the ornate intricacy of the structures, but they offer an impression of the art and architecture's magnificence.

Digressions

Currency Manipulation: There have been many efforts to eliminate the penny in the US, but the people of Illinois, seeking the preserve our familiarity with the likeness of Abe Lincoln, somehow prevail whenever the retirement of the penny is considered.  I cannot think of anything more useless than a 1 cent piece. Luckily, the European Union thought of both the 1 cent piece AND the 2 cent piece, so the penny doesn't look so bad, relatively.  

The coins were initially introduced into circulation to prevent retailers from using the transition to the Euro to dramatically round-up prices. One side of the coins shares a common design depicting an image of EU states and 12 stars, representing the 12 states that initially adopted the Euro. The other side of the coins varies between nations, each choosing its own design. Italy put its design options to an American Idol style vote that had callers vote during a television broadcast. Finland and the Netherlands, perpetuating their brilliance, round to the nearest 5 cents and put the money saved from not printing 1 and 2 cent pieces into a PR campaign advertising their perfection in all things.  

Riding Dirty: We have been too slow with our shutter speed to capture some impressive feats accomplished on scooters (women riding side saddle, families of 4 scooter-pooling to school, and grandma straddling the seat adorned in her Sunday bests and orthopedic shoes), but by far the most impressive act came from a gentleman transporting a Christmas tree on the rear of his Vespa.

Revolution: There have been several days of protests that have prevented Meredith from teaching because the students occupy the school, choose not to come to class, or barricade the entrance. Although the expressed reason for their dissent is a cut in education funding, I imagine their outrage being greatly influenced by the prospect of a day off school.  

New guy: Meet Ivy's boyfriend Blake. He is a writer that fancies bourbon, disagreement, and David Mamet, especially in conjunction with one another.

Blake is a new face that usually looks more pleasant.